Jennifer Souders - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

1100 days ago

A Note About My Metoprolol Side Effects: So I saw my cardiologist this past week on 12/7/21, about 3 weeks after surgery. We discussed medications. I was having ...Read more

A Note About My Metoprolol Side Effects: So I saw my cardiologist this past week on 12/7/21, about 3 weeks after surgery. We discussed medications. I was having a lot of difficulty on the metoprolol that was used to control my AFib, and my heart rate was going down to 32 beats/min. I felt awful, as you might imagine. My medication was changed back to short-acting diltiazem (I was on long-acting before surgery), and have no negative effects. In seems to control the periodic AFib very well, and maybe even better. Also there were other problems that disappeared after stopping metoprolol: wild mood swings, bizarre and terrifying dreams, unexplained moments of panic, insomnia, and a feeling of being outside of my own body were the most troublesome. I chalked them up to post-cardiac surgery physical adjustments, and started to wonder if I was going into cardiac depression. They all stopped within 24-48 hours of stopping metoprolol. Don't get me wrong - metoprolol is a very necessary medication for most of us around heart surgery, and it's generally safe and well tolerated. But if you are coming along in your healing and still experiencing unexplained issues or side effects, it's really a good idea to speak with your cardiologist or cardiac surgeon about whether you're ready for adjustments in dosing or a medication change.

Richard Munson What a great post. I am talking about this very subject with my cardiologist for a different reason. ... Read more

Richard Munson What a great post. I am talking about this very subject with my cardiologist for a different reason. My reason being to reduce my pill intake

Rose Madura I had a horrible time taking Amiodadrone. At my 4th readmission from complications, I flat out ref ... Read more

Rose Madura I had a horrible time taking Amiodadrone. At my 4th readmission from complications, I flat out refused to take it. The ER doctor even suggested I strongly discuss it with my doctor. Point being, this post is another excellent example of why we should have good discussions with our doctors about medication. I take a low dose of Metoprolol and have no issues at all. Communication is very important. And with the "my chart" availability now a days, it's easy to send a message to the doctor.

Rita Savelis I took metrapolol for a year after surgery to slow my heart down. It slowed everything down, I felt s ... Read more

Rita Savelis I took metrapolol for a year after surgery to slow my heart down. It slowed everything down, I felt so low on that med. I went into a 7 month depression. The DAY I stopped metrapolol I immediately felt better. Now I take ivabradine (procolaran) which is for patients who don't do well on beta blockers. Like Richard I'd rather take the least amount of meds so am always discussing them with my doctor. I have to take anticoagulants (2 mechanical valves) and thyroid meds (had my thyroid out) but am always trying to get off the lasix (I have chronic pleural effusions) and betablockers....

Richard Munson What terrific posts, and once again, rose and i are on the same page. It goes to show why there are s ... Read more

Richard Munson What terrific posts, and once again, rose and i are on the same page. It goes to show why there are so many potential side effects on the bottles of these meds. There will always be a % that have one. Sometimes they may be severe, others not. In my case, i recall the good old days when i took a baby aspirin and felt great. Now i still feel ok but could i feel better and do meds have a role? Who knows. The only sure way to know is to stop them and worry about the after effects. In the midst of all this i am 10 years older and a mitral valve repair recipient. Maybe i feel as good as i ever will feel at 79. By stopping metropolol and or eliquis open up another can of worms is my main concern. . A personal dilemma .

Mike Tirrell This is an interesting topic. I am on metoprolol as well and have experienced a couple of odd feelin ... Read more

Mike Tirrell This is an interesting topic. I am on metoprolol as well and have experienced a couple of odd feelings. Most notably, I've noticed being just a little more tired getting up in the morning. Not to the point where I don't want to get out of bed or anything but I've found that I have been slower to rise on days that I don't have to. I did find earlier on that I had some mood swings but chalked them up to my body adjusting to post-surgery normal. Richard - regarding reduction of pill intake, I asked the same question and was able to switch to one metoprolol per day (100mg) rather than 2 50mg pills (once in the morning and once at night). I now take all of my pills in the evening and don't have to worry about it in the morning.

Rita Savelis Metrapolol slows your system down. This is more of a problem for those who aren't used to being slow ... Read more

Rita Savelis Metrapolol slows your system down. This is more of a problem for those who aren't used to being slow as they will notice it more. There is a reason to take it after OHS because your heart needs a break, after all it's been through.
But if one can, it's nice to get off betablockers too. It's always so hard to know what is caused by meds and what is caused by old age and what is caused by your condition... Everyone is different and you do have to listen to your body and weigh the pros and cons. But if you don't talk to your doctor about stopping meds and whether they are absolutely necessary, he/she may never bring it up.

Richard Munson Sometimes i think that it is so much easier to give out pills. I know they serve a purpose. Metropolo ... Read more

Richard Munson Sometimes i think that it is so much easier to give out pills. I know they serve a purpose. Metropolol and eliquis are on my radar screen. I had or have a fib, hopefully had. Also have an ascending 4.1 aortic aneurism that has not increased in a year. After my yearly surgical mitral anniversary passes in january i am going to suggest another 2 week a fib monitor and evaluate the results. If still a fib free then make a decision. My gripe with metropolol mike is not that i take a 25 twice a day but that i take it at all. Maybe i could go to once a day but stay at 25. Cut my dosage in half. I long to get back on a baby aspirin.

Jennifer Souders What a lot of thoughtful replies! Remember that every single one of us has the right to a second (an ... Read more

Jennifer Souders What a lot of thoughtful replies! Remember that every single one of us has the right to a second (and third) opinion to address our questions and concerns.